Image Guided Surgery Equipment Technician

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

Under general supervision, this position coordinates in performing a variety of Image Guided Surgery (IGS) support. This position provides clinical support to BWH Neurosurgery, Orthopedic, ENT and other physicians, residents, nursing and support staff as needed to optimize the utilization of surgical navigation and the application of image guided surgery technology in the operating room environment. She/he will participate in the equipment acquisition process regarding technical requirements. She/he will be responsible for the use and maintenance of Image Guided Systems and their related peripherals. She/he will be responsible for the comprehensive technical support of highly sophisticated biomedical instrumentation systems and equipment used in Neurosurgery/ ORL/ORTHO (including stereotactic equipment, intraoperative MRI, frameless stereotaxy, various current and future digital-imaging systems). She/he will provide clinical/ technical support that extend well beyond maintenance and repair. Works independently and in collaboration with the neurosurgical/ORL and ORTHO faculty, Radiology, the Department of Radiology, both CT and MRI, Central Sterile Processing and industry representatives to expedite the surgical schedule and further develop the use of frameless stereotaxy in endoscopic, spinal, vascular and functional neurosurgery. Responsible and accountable for establishing, maintaining, and coordinating appropriate inventory of all OR equipment utilized by surgical services.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the care, maintenance and operation of biomedical instrumentation systems and equipment used by Neurosurgery/Orthopedics and ORL including (but not limited to) the following:

* Frameless stereotaxy equipment

* Frame based equipment

* Intraoperative MR equipment

* Computer guided endoscopic equipment

* Skull base neurosurgery equipment

* Neurovascular surgery equipment

* Transphenoidal equipment (particularly in the intraoperative MRI environment)

* Neurosurgical spinal equipment

* Operative neurosurgical/Orthopedic and ORL microscopes

* Still and video digital equipment

* Medtronic O-Arm

* With general guidance of the surgeon, leads neurosurgical planning through all stages of the operation while working with a multi-disciplinary team of internal and external customers.

* Maintains an entry level of image guided surgery Clinical Engineering expertise to act as a resource to the department of Neurosurgery/Orthopedics and ORL as needed.

* Troubleshoots these digital, video and computer related systems, particularly preoperatively and during surgeries and assists neurosurgeons in utilization and editing.

* Develops and manages schedule of preventative maintenance, establishing maintenance protocols as necessary. Reviews maintenance protocols developed by manufacturers and biomedical engineering.

* Calibrates and troubleshoots neurosurgery equipment and biomedical instrumentation systems to assure they operate properly and are in compliance with all applicable codes and standards. Seeks ways to reduce breakdowns, eliminate safety hazards, and enhance accuracy and reliability. Refers irresolvable technical problems to biomedical engineering only if the item is covered by warranty, by a service contract, or needs to be returned to the manufacturer for repair.

* Evaluates the equipment performance to ensure the validity and efficiency of operation by determining and utilizing appropriate test setup. He/she may use conventional Standard Test Equipment, High Level Test Equipment and/or develop a technique or unconventional application for the equipment being reviewed.

* Determines equipment and supply needs and notifies procurement personnel to order.

* Interacts regularly with physicians, nurses, technicians, support personnel, administrative personnel, and manufacturer representatives.

* Attend and participate in every huddle and hard stop time out, informing surgeons, resident, anesthesia, nursing and support personnel on steps and procedures need to ensure successful group cohesion in IGS procedures.

* Use knowledge of brain anatomy to create image guided stereotactic trajectories and obtain CRW coordinates for DBS and biopsy cases under supervision of attending surgeon.

* Direct surgeons, anesthesia, nursing and support personnel in proper set up of the iCT suite for pre - intra- and post operative scans. Loading navigation images operatively and then fusing them to operative scans.

* Consult with surgeons and CT technologists every morning on the proper iCT radiology protocols to obtain images needed for image guided surgery.

* Integrate Neurosurgery's IGS systems and equipment with hospital's audio-visual mainframe and create and edit video for surgeons.

* Consult with surgeons and iMRI technologists every morning on the proper iMRI radiology protocols to obtain images needed for image guided surgery.

* Assure all equipment is available/ready for surgical procedures.

* Develop and maintain an inventory of service specific and check OR schedule to assure availability of equipment.

* Day/evening before surgery, set up rooms for following day with necessary supplies and equipment for the first cases of the next day.

* Able to access Epic for preference card review for equipment and positioning needs.

* Assists with the day-to-day non-clinical operational issues for perioperative Services. This includes communication with various ancillary services such as Engineering, Biomed, Telecommunications and OR CSS. Communication must be, at all times, professional and effective to enhance a positive working environment.

* Communicates equipment out for repair to team/assures replacement as necessary.

* Collaborates with nursing / CPD / biomedical engineering on introducing new equipment in the OR.

* Cares for (set up and breakdown) equipment as appropriate.

* Assists with staff education as appropriate.

* Maintains tracking logs for broken equipment Performs other duties within their scope of practice as assigned.

* Able to read, understand and write English

* Bachelor Degree preferred with 5+ years of OR Equipment experience.

* Prior training and/or experience with intraoperative computer-oriented systems and digital imaging systems preferred.

* Creativity in using this equipment in the operating room setting is important.

* Understands aspetic and infection control and demonstrates sterile protocols

* Demonstrates an awareness of and sensitivity to patient/family rights and cultural/religious beliefs and age-specific needs

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

* Strong critical thinking skills and independent judgement

* Understanding of anatomy and physiology and medical terminology

* Available to be "on call" evenings and weekends.

* Human relation and interpersonal skills of a level necessary to manage an operational team in the complex OR environment; ability to interact and communicate with most hospital personnel.

* Knowledge of optics, mechanics, computers and electrical safety for application to difficult problems in the high sophisticated biomedical instrumentation systems and equipment used by neurosurgery/Orthopedics and ENT.

* Knowledge of operating room procedures and priorities.

* Knowledge of medical instrumentation and clinical use models of medical instrumentation.

* Ability to work quickly and expertly in assistance to neurosurgeons and nursing staff.

* Ability to interpret and use regulatory agency guidelines and standards, equipment maintenance guidelines, and service manuals

* Must be aware of proper body mechanics when moving equipment and lifting of heavy objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

* Possible local travel to Mass General Brigham sites

* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; or hear; use hands to finger; handle; or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop; kneel; or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception.

* The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal office working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

* Must be able to stand for long periods of time (up to 6 hours).

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.